Ned Palmer is a recovering philosopher, jazz pianist, and cheese evangelist. After discovering the glories of British cheese selling his friend’s Caerphilly cheese at Borough market, Ned spent seven years at Neal’s Yard Dairy, training as a retailer, affineur and connoisseur of cheese. Fascinated by the history of cheesemaking, and the stunning flavours of traditional styles, he visited makers across Britain to discover their stories and secrets, uncovering the magic behind a great cheeseboard. Ned set up the Cheese Tasting Company in 2012, to deliver tastings to private and corporate audiences. He also works with Laithwaites, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the British Epicurean Society and various London craft brewers to bring cheese to the people. Ned’s tastings feature the most delicious surprises and matches, alongside eccentric, eclectic and esoteric stories of the makers of great British cheese, both ancient and modern. Ned lives with acclaimed historical novelist Imogen Robertson and an unreasonable number of books about cheese.

Londoner Des is the award-winning author of the definitive guide to beer in the capital, The CAMRA Guide to London's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars. As well as contributing to many other books and publications, he's an Accredited Beer Sommelier, an international beer judge and a busy host of beer tours and tutored tastings with a particular passion for brewing heritage and history.

Tim is Wine Business Lecturer at Plumpton College in East Sussex, where his teaching also includes beer and spirits. He is a member of the Association of Wine Educators and a Wine and Spirit Education Trust certified educator with extensive experience hosting wine tastings for a wide variety of audiences. Equally happy with a pint of beer as with a glass of wine, he is a member of the Campaign for Real Ale and he has led many pub walks in London, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton where he now lives. He has a particular interest in the social and cultural aspects of alcohol production and consumption.